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Loren Roberts Enters Field At John Deere Classic Former Ryder Cupper Joins Jacobsen and Weibring In Reunion of 40-Something Generation Contact Barry Cronin EAST MOLINE, Ill. (July 29, 2003) - Loren Roberts became the latest member of the PGA Tour's 40-plus generation to commit to play in this year's John Deere Classic. Roberts, 48, will join 2003 Tour winners Vijay Singh, 40, and Peter Jacobsen, 49, along with three-time Quad City champ D.A. Weibring, 50, at the Tournament Players Club at Deere Run in nearby Silvis, Ill. Sept. 8-14. Jacobsen won last week at the Greater Hartford Open and Weibring finished fifth in his debut Senior British Open at Turnberry. "We are very excited that a player of Loren Roberts' caliber and character plans to compete in the 2003 John Deere Classic," said tournament director Clair Peterson. "Not only is Loren one of the world's top players, he also represents the best of the PGA Tour when it comes to being a true professional." Roberts, who finished 28th on the 2002 PGA Tour money list with nearly $2 million, has made the cut in 13 of the 17 events he has entered this year, including The Players Championship, the Masters and the U.S. Open. His best finish was a tie for 13th at the Bank of America Colonial Invitational in Fort Worth. Roberts has won eight times during his 28-year PGA Tour career. His last victory came at the 2002 Valero Texas Open. Roberts' nickname on Tour is "Boss of the Moss" for his superior putting ability. A California native, he played on the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 1995. He tied for second at the 1992 Quad City event at Oakwood Country Club. He last played in the Quad Cities in 1996. Jacobsen's victory last Sunday (July 26) at Hartford was his first victory since 1995. At the 2002 John Deere Classic, Jacobsen finished in a tie for eighth place, shooting 66-67-69-68-270 (14-under par). "Peter Jacobsen has been a longtime supporter of the PGA Tour in the Quad Cities, and we couldn't be happier for him that he won in Hartford," Peterson said. Also last Sunday, Weibring, playing in his first Senior British Open championship, finished fifth at 10-under par 270 at Turnberry. Weibring designed the Tournament Players Club at Deere Run. Weibring's son, Matt, also will be playing at the John Deere Classic on a sponsor's exemption. "No player has been more supportive of the PGA Tour in the Quad Cities than D.A. Weibring," Peterson said. "We look forward to having him and Matt back in our field." |